THE 


NATUKALIST. 


NUMBER  1. 


NATURAL  HISTORY 


OF 


MAMMALIA,  BIEDS,  FISHES,  BUTTERFLIES,  SHELLS, 
REPTILES,  FLOWERS,  FRUITS,  PLANTS,  &c. 


ILLUSTRATED  BY  FIVE  PLATES,  ENGRAVED  ON  STEEL, 
AND  BEAUTIFULLY  COLORED. 


PUBLISHED    BY 

FERDINAND    QUARRE, 

NEW   YORK. 

1844. 


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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


A/ 


INTRODUCTION. 


Natural  History  offers  to  our  study  and  observation  many  inducements,  the  greater  as  they  are  in  a 
measure  promoted  at  every  moment,  by  the  objects  surrounding  us.  What  science,  in  fact,  can  claim 
more  interest  and  awaken  our  curiosity  to  a  higher  degree,  than  the  one  which  acquaints  us  with  the 
animated  beings  that  breathe  with  us  on  the  earth!  Which  makes  us  follow  the  feathered  tribes 
through  the  air,  or  fathom  the  waters  in  search  of  their  innumerable  inhabitants. 

How  pleasing  and  interesting  it  is  to  follow  in  our  gardens  the  study  of  flowers,  plants  and  fruits ; 
to  class  their  different  families,  to  divide  their  numerous  species,  to  know,  to  aid  their  culture,  vege- 
tation and  reproduction  ! 

And  in  observing  the  wonders  of  nature  in  these  productions,  how  much  do  we  not  feel  we  must  ad- 
mire and  adore  the  wisdom  and  divine  bounty  of  an  Almighty  God,  who  has  created  all ;  whose 
Providence  is  displayed  as  fully  in  the  basest  insect  or  plant,  as  in  the  most  stupendous  phenomena  of 
the  Universe. 

•The  study  of  Natural  History,  although  the  most  true,  the  most  simple,  and  interesting  of  all  studies, 
is  nevertheless  the  one  most  neglected.  Even  its  votaries  are  satisfied  with  selecting  one  of  its  nu- 
merous branches,  seemingly  forgetting  all  the  others ;  thus,  some  study  the  History  of  Birds,  others 
of  Butterflies,  others  of  Flowers,  and  others,  of  Shells  ;  and  yet,  among  these,  there  are  some  whose 
researches  do  not  go  beyond  a  few  species ;  thus,  an  amateur  of  Tulips,  will  feign  to  be  ignorant  of 
the  existence  of  other  flowers ;  some  amateurs  of  Birds,  will  only  observe  Parrots  ;  or  notice  but  one 
species  of  the  innumerable  families  forming  the  ensemble  of  the  great  works  of  c.reation. 

One  obstacle  to  the  more  general  diffusion  of  a  knowledge  of  the  different  species  forming  the 
vegetable  and  animal  kingdoms,  is  the  high  price  required  of  the  works,  and  their  too  voluminous 
collection. 

To  obviate  this  inconvenience,  we  offer  to  our  subscribers  the  Naturalist,  arranged  and  classified, 
so  as  to  form  a  complete  natural  history  of  each  species. 

This  History  will  be  continued  in  the  same  order  in  all  the  following  numbers. 

Exact  and  correct  description  will  afford  ample  knowledge  of  each  animal  or  plant ;  of  its  origin, 
usefulness,  habits,  or  of  its  specific  properties. 

Five  plates  will  be  engraved  on  steel,  and  will  be  colored  with  the  greatest  care  and  faithfulness. 
For  each  number  the  drawings  will  be  executed  from  the  very  best  works  extant,  and  frequently  from 
Nature. 

This  publication,  which,  in  the  course  of  one  year,  will  give  the  description  and/ac  simile  of  more 
than  75  Birds,  75  Mammalia,  of  as  many  Butterflies,  Fishes,  Shells,  Reptiles,  Insects,  Flowers, 
Fruits,  and  Plants  of  every  description,  will  be  sold  at  the  following  low  rate  : 

For  each  number  colored  with  the  greatest  care,     -  50  cents. 

For  twelve  copies.     "  -  $5  00 

Subscriptions  for  twelve  numbers  will  be  received  for  $5,  paid  in  advance. 

By  these  means,  this  great  study  of  Nature,  published  at  so  moderate  a  price,  will  be  placed  within 
the  reach  of  all  intellects,  and  the  interest  afforded  in  each  number,  by  its  diversity,  will  but  elucidate 
its  exposition,  and  the  details  of  scientific  description. 
Orders  must  be  directed,  postage  paid,  to 

FERDINAND  QUARRE,  Publisher  of  the  Naturalist,  New  York. 

N.  B.  All  papers  inserting  this  prospectus  in  their  columns,  will  be  entitled  to  one  year's  subscrip- 
tion. 


THE  NATURALIST. 


MAMMALIA. 


NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  QUADRUPEDS. 

THE  EQUID.E  IN  GENERAL. 

In  the  structure  of  the  whole  Equine  family,  we  find  slight  differences  in  size  and 
relative  proportions ;  all  have  the  same  form  of  stomach,  not  adapted  for  rumination  ; 
.  they  have,  with  perhaps  one  exception,  the  same  number  and  structure  of  teeth :  that 
is,  six  incisors  both  above  and  below,  one  cuspidate  on  each  side  in  both  jaws,  six  mo- 
lars above,  and  the  same  number  below  on  each  side,  making  forty  teeth  in  all.  The 
whole  family  is  distinguished  from  all  other  mammalia,  by  the  bones  at  the  extremity 
of  the  feet  being  lodged  in  a  single  round  hoof  j  they  have  all  more  or  less  mane  on 
the  neck  ;  the  whole  of  their  structure  is  remarkably  strong  and  well  balanced,  being 
in  height  at  the  shoulder  and  croup,  about  equal  to  the  length  from  the  breast  to  the 
buttock,  and  the  head  and  neck  comparatively  lighter  in  proportion  than  in  animals 
that  bear  horns  j  hence,  above  all  other  quadrupeds,  the  horse  is  the  most  symmetrical 
for  his  stature  j  the  fleetest,  the  strongest,  and  the  most  enduring ;  for,  considering  that 
his  speed  is  always  reckoned  with  the  additional  weight  of  a  rider,  that  velocity  which 
gives  near  a  mile  in  a  minute,  and  four  miles  in  six  minutes  and  a  half,  has  been  calcu- 
lated to  be  at  the  rate  of  eighty-two  feet  and  a  half,  per  second;  exceeding  what  a 
vigorous  stag,  or  the  fleetest  greyhound  can  achieve  unencumbered  by  any  extraneous 
weight.  Such  speed,  with  the  powers  of  endurance,  is  surely  superior  to  every  other 
quadruped ;  for  while  we  know  what  effect  the  difference  of  one  or  two  pounds  weight 
produces  on  the  velocity  of  the  pace  of  racers ;  horses  will  carry  heavy  riders,  and  keep 
up  with  a  running  ostrich,  overtake  a  stag,  and  toil  at  a  gallop  in  the  withering  sun  of 
the  desert,  over  sixty  or  eighty  miles,  without  drawing  bit.  It  is  to  the  elasticity  and 
form  of  structure,  to  the  inclination  of  the  shoulder,  the  width  of  the  trunk  giving  play 
to  the  lungs,  the  breadth  of  the  quarters,  the  vigor  of  the  fore-arm,  the  consolidation  of 
the  foot  into  one  hoof,  and  the  lightness  of  the  head  and  neck,  that  we  must  chiefly 
refer  these  powers. 

Equidce  are  essentially  grazing  animals ;  all  are  tempted  by  thistles,  thorny  shrubs, 
and  brooms.  They  are  gregarious,  in  common  with  ruminants  they  see  well  in  the  dark, 
have  the  pupil  rather  elongated,  the  eyes  being  placed  far  apart,  so  as  to  enable  them, 
when  the  head  is  down,  to  view  objects  with  facility  before  and  behind  them,  as  well 
as  sideways ;  the  length  of  head  and  neck  is  nearly  equal  to  their  height,  giving  the 
power  of  cropping  the  herbage,  by  means  of  their  flexible  lips,  and  well-set  nipping 
teeth,  to  accomplish  which  they  are  nevertheless  obliged  to  throw  one  of  the  fore-legs 
forward  and  the  other  to  the  rear,  while  at  the  same  time  they  straighten  the  line  of  the 
2 


8  THE    NATURALIST. 

back ;  the  ears  are  very  movable,  independent  of  each  other,  conveying  sound  with 
facility  from  all  directions ;  their  sense  of  smell  is  very  delicate  5  they  sleep  little ;  in 
a  wild  state  seldom  or  never  lie  down,  and  consequently  have  an  individual  security  as 
well  as  the  collective  protection  of  their  gregarious  habits ;  most,  however,  prefer  moun- 
tains and  rocky  regions,  and  with  trifling  exception  all  keep  out  of  cover. 

True  horses  resist  the  severest  temperature,  and  can  live  in  the  coldest  climates  that 
will  allow  them  to  find  food ;  and  races  or  forms  of  them  bear  heat  with  nearly  equal 
facility ;  but  in  the  two  extremes,  somewhat  of  opposite  effects  take  place  j  for  while 
in  the  north,  wild  horses  are  not  diminished  in  stature,  the  domestic  become  very  small ; 
and  in  the  south,  the  domestic  rise  above  the  common  standard,  while  the  so  called  wild 
are  not  more  than  ten  hands,  at  the  shoulders. 

There  is  a  great  disparity  of  intelligence,  between  all  the  wild  species  and  the  do- 
mestic horse,  whose  acts  often  display  faculties  nearly  as  elevated  as  those  of  a  dog  j 
memory  almost  as  tenacious,  and  a  power  of  abstraction  and  comparison,  a  degree  of  be- 
nevolence, and  a  generosity  of  disposition  which,  notwithstanding  our  common  ruthless 
mode  of  educating  them,  often  pierces  through  when  least  expected.  Qualities  of  so 
elevated  an  order  appear  to  be  necessarily  connected  with  greater  irritability  of  nerve, 
and  this  sensitiveness  is  manifested  in  horses  more  than  in  other  Equidse,  their  skins  suf- 
fering so  much  from  the  stings  of  flies,  that  Nature,  in  order  to  enable  them  to  have 
leisure  to  feed  and  repose,  has  furnished  their  neck  with  a  long  mane,  and  the  tail  forms 
a  sweeping  brush  which  reaches  every  part  of  the  body  where  the  head  cannot  attain  j 
they  have  moreover  a  quivering  muscular  action  of  the  skin  which  impedes  the  tor- 
menting power  of  insects. 

The  period  of  copulation,  the  time  of  gestation,  the  number  of  offspring,  the  years  of 
growth,  the  conditions  of  dentition,  and  the  duration  of  life,  are  in  all  nearly  alike,  or 
differ  only  from  local  causes ;  none  appear  to  suffer  convulsions  from  dentition ;  all  are 
in  disposition  gay,  sociable,  and  emulous ;  even  the  ass  has  the  instinct  of  trying  his 
speed  against  competitors ;  the  voice  of  all  is  sonorous,  loud,  but,  excepting  in  the  horse, 
exceedingly  disagreeable. 

We  divide  the  Linnsean  genus  Equus  into  three  sections ;  the  first  contains  the  Horses 
properly  so  called ;  the  second,  the  Asinine  group  ;  and  the  third,  the  South  African 
striped  species. 


THE  HORSE. 

EQUUS  CABALLUS. 

In  this  section  we  place  the  true  horses,  wild  and  domesticated.  They  are  distin- 
guished by  the  mane  being  pendant  and  the  tail  furnished  with  long  hair  up  to  the 
root ;  the  head  is  long,  the  ears  short  and  pointed,  the  withers  somewhat  elevated,  the 
shoulder  oblique ;  they  have  callosities  on  the  fore-arms  and  hind-canons;  the  hoof 
round .;  colors  of  the  hair  uniform,  or  clouded,  or  with  a  tendency  to  dappling ;  the 
voice  consists  in  neighing ;  intellectual  instinct  naturally  more  developed  than  in  the 
other  species,  though  no  doubt  much  perfected  by  long  domestication.  The  wild  will 
be  described  hereafter. 


MAMMALIA. 


THE  DOMESTIC  HORSE. 

EQUUS  CABALLUS  DOMESTICUS. 

In  the  domestic  horse  we  behold  an  animal  equally  strong  and  beautiful ;  endowed 
with  great  docility  and  no  less  fire ;  with  size  and  endurance  joined  to  sobriety,  speed 
and  patience ;  clean,  companionable,  emulous^  even  generous ;  forbearing,  yet  impetu- 
ous ;  with  faculties  susceptible  of  very  considerable  education,  and  perceptions  which 
catch  the  spirit  of  man's  intentions,  lending  his  powers  with  the  utmost  readiness,  and 
restraining  them  with  as  ready  a  compliance :  saddled  or  in  harness,  laboring  willingly, 
enjoying  the  sports  of  the  field  and  exulting  in  the  tumult  of  battle ;  used  by  mankind 
in  the  most  laudable  and  necessary  operations,  and  often  the  unconscious  instrument  of 
the  most  sanguinary  passions;  applauded,  cherished,  then  neglected,  and  ultimately 
abandoned  to  the  authority  of  the  bipeds,  who  often  show  little  superiority  of  reason 
and  much  less  of  temper.  One  who,  like  ourselves,  has  repeatedly  owed  life  to  the 
exertions  of  his  horse,  in  meeting  a  hostile  shock,  in  swimming  across  streams,  and  in 
passing  on  the  edge  of  elevated  precipices,  will  feel  with  us,  when  contemplating  the 
qualities  of  this  most  valuable  animal,  emotions  of  gratitude  and  affection  which  others 
may  not  so  readily  appreciate. 

A  horse  of  the  usual  standard  is  now  considered  to  attain  the  height  of  fifteen  or 
fifteen  hands  and  a  half.  In  the  east  of  Europe  they  range  usually  from  below  fourteen 
to  fifteen  hands.  The  gestation  of  mares  lasts  about  eleven  months,  though  sometimes 
the  time  is  less  by  thirty-five  days,  and  at  others  extended  to  forty-one  or  forty-two 
days  beyond  it ;  and  foals  are  born  usually  in  April  and  May.  They  see  and  have  the 
use  of  their  limbs  shortly  after  birth  ;  they  are  then  short-bodied  and  short-necked  ani- 
mals, and  very  high  on  the  legs ;  they  are  frolicsome  and  sport  about  the  mother ; 
scratching  their  own  ears  with  the  hind  legs,  and  astonishing  the  stallion,  if  perchance 
he  can  approach,  for  the  gambols  of  the  colt  set  him  on  his  mettle,  his  crest  rises,  his 
tail  is  flung  up,  he  snorts  and  gallops  in  exceeding  wonderment,  and  with  marked  signs 
of  pleasure. 

The  foal  at  birth  is  usually  already  furnished  with  the  first  and  second  molars  cut 
through  the  gum,  and  in  little  more  than  a  week  shows  the  two  middle  nippers  or 
incisor  teeth  in  both  jaws,  and  after  five  weeks  more  the  two  next  and  also  a  third 
grinder :  about  the  eighth  month  the  third  pair  of  incisors  above  and  below  are  cut,  and 
then  the  front  of  the  mouth  is  full.  The  enamel  on  these  teeth  is  hard  and  thick, 
forming  forward  a  swelling  above  the  edge  which  remains  sharp,  and  within  or  behind 
the  edge  the  surface  is  depressed  and  becomes  dark,  which  constitutes  the  mark  or  evi- 
dence whereby  the  age  of  a  colt  or  horse  is  determined.  At  the  end  of  a  year  the 
fourth  grinder  appears  above  and  below,  and  the  fifth  at  the  end  of  the  second  year, 
and  then  the  first  dentition  is  complete.  When  three  years  old,  the  central  nippers  in 
both  jaws  make  room  for  a  larger  pair  in  each,  and  are  the  first  of  the  permanent  set ; 
six  months  after,  a  second  pair  extrude  the  former  on  each  side  of  the  first  permanent ; 
and  at  four  and  a  half  the  last  set  will  be  supplied,  all  distinctly  bearing  the  mark;  at 
five  this  mark  begins  to  be  effaced  by  the  wearing  of  the  two  first  pair,  and  the  tushes 
or  cuspidate  teeth  are  exposed,  leaving  a  space  between  the  nippers,  and  approaching 
nearer  to  the  grinders;  at  six  years  old  the  central  nippers  are  without  a  mark,  or 
nearly  so ;  at  seven,  in  the  next  pair,  it  likewise  disappears ;  and  at  eight,  all  the  cut- 
ting teeth  have  lost  their  black  stain  and  hollow. 


10  THE  NATURALIST. 

These  are  the  marks  for  estimating  the  age  of  the  horse  till  the  animal  is  deemed  old, 
and  it  may  be  proper  to  add,  that  there  are  further  tokens  taken  from  the  tushes,  &c. 
The  age  of  a  horse  is  always  calculated  from  the  first  of  May,  and  there  is  considerable 
difference  in  the  marks  between  stabled  horses,  crib-biters,  and  animals  usually  at 
grass. 

A  full  grown  horse,  notwithstanding  the  different  purposes  he  may  be  intended  for, 
is  required  to  possess  some  general  qualifications  in  order  to  be  valuable:  the  head 
should  be  middle  sized,  well  set  on,  with  the  branches  of  the  lower  jaw  sufficiently 
separated  to  give  the  head  liberty  of  action ;  the  eyes  large  and  rather  promiment ;  the 
ear  small,  erect,  lively ;  the  nostrils  open,  not  fleshy ;  the  neck  long,  with  little  curve 
along  the  gullet,  but  arched  on  the  crest ;  full  below,  slender  near  the  head ;  the 
withers  somewhat  high,  and  the  shoulder  slanting  backwards,  but  more  vertical  in  pro- 
portion if  the  animal  is  destined  for  draught ;  the  chest  should  be  capacious,  deeper  in 
horses  for  speed,  rounder  for  others  5  the  arm  muscular,  the  canon  bones  forward,  flat 
and  short ;  the  loins  broad  and  the  quarters  long  ;  the  thigh  muscular,  the  calcis  high, 
and  the  whole  hock  well  bent  under  the  horse.  It  is  in  the  structure  of  the  bones  of 
the  hind  quarters  that  the  principal  characteristics  of  high  bred  horses  are  detected,  and 
the  straight  horizontal  line  of  the  croup  gives  those  attached  to  the  pelvis  greater 
length,  and  consequently  greater  angles  ;  whence  the  power  of  throwing  the  weight 
forward  is  chiefly  derived. 

From  the  different  colors  of  the  original  stocks,  horses  are  clothed  in  a  greater  diver- 
sity of  liveries  than  any  other  animals,  cattle  and  dogs  not  excepted ;  they  are  a  natural 
consequence  of  interminable  crossings  of  the  five  great  stirpes,  producing  combinations 
which  have  caused  French  and  Spanish  writers  to  enumerate  above  sixty ;  the  piebald 
and  dappled  find  only  their  counterparts  in  the  forms  and  shades  of  color  in  some  spe- 
cies of  Seals,  and  it  is  there,  also,  we  find  the  light  blue  grays  with  brown  spots,  of 
which  we  have  examples  in  the  New  Forest  and  in  Spain ;  yet,  excepting  the  five 
primitive,  all  the  rest  have  a  tendency  to  return  to  them,  and  sometimes  it  would  seem 
capriciously  to  resume  the  bay,  dun,  gray  or  black. 

The  life  of  horses  extends  naturally  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  years ;  cases  have  oc- 
curred of  individuals  attaining  the  age  of  more  than  forty  j  and  in  countries  where  they 
are  not  tasked  by  constant  over  exertion,  the  period  of  existence  is  usually  between 
nineteen  and  twenty-one.  But  in  some  countries  the  destruction  of  these  noble  animals 
is  excessive ;  the  value  of  time  with  a  commercial  people,  incessantly  urged  into 
activity  both  mental  and  corporeal,  has  demanded  rapidity  of  communication,  and 
spread  an  universal  taste  for  going  fast ;  the  fine  roads  have  permitted  horses  to  be  sub- 
jected to  more  than  they  can  draw  j  betting,  racing  and  hunting  are  pursued  by  persons 
whose  animals  are  not  constructed  for  such  exertions ;  and  violent  usage  in  grooms, 
stable-boys,  and  farm-servants  is  so  common,  that  few  reach  the  age  of  fifteen  years, 
and  all  are  truly  old  at  ten. 

In  the  structure  of  the  horse,  mares  are  always  comparatively  lower  at  the  withers 
than  geldings  or  stallions  ;  these  last  have  the  neck  much  fuller  than  either  of  the 
above ;  their  spirit  is  also  much  more  noisy,  and  their  disposition,  when  they  meet  at 
liberty,  exceedingly  pugnacious ;  they  are  commonly  used  for  the  saddle,  as,  for  in- 
stance, in  India,  two  horsemen  cannot  venture  to  ride  side  by  side  without  constant 
attention,  and  always  at  some  distance  asunder. 

It  is  asserted  that  horses  with  a  broad  after-head,  and  the  ears  far  asunder,  are  natu- 
rally bolder  than  those  whose  head  is  narrow  above  the  fore-lock ;  some  are  certainly 


MAMMALIA.  1 1 

more  daring  by  nature  than  others,  and  judicious  training  in  most  cases  makes  them 
sufficiently  stanch.  Some,  habituated  to  war,  will  drop  their  head,  pick  at  grass  in  the 
midst  of  fire,  smoke,  and  the  roar  of  cannon ;  others  never  entirely  cast  off  their  natural 
timidity. 

Horses  have  a  very  good  memory ;  they  remember  kind  treatment ;  in  the  darkest 
nights  they  will  find  their  way  homeward,  if  they  have  but  once  passed  over  the  same 
road. 

We  all  know  to  what  extent  horses  may  be  educated  to  perform  a  variety  of  tricks, 
appear  dead,  simulate  fear  or  rage,  &c.,  &c. 

In  submission  to  a  master,  the  horse  is  affected  by  kind  treatment  as  much  as  the  dog 
and  elephant;  for  although  habitually  his  actions  show  timidity,  they  are  more  an 
effect  of  good  temper  than  fear,  for  where  severity  is  unreasonably  exercised,  obedience 
readily  granted  to  kind  treatment  becomes  doubtful,  and  sooner  or  later  breaks  out  in 
vicious  resentment,  and  oppression  has  its  limits. 

In  emulation  to  surpass  a  rival,  no  more  convincing  instance  can  be  cited  than  in  the 
case  of  a  race-horse  finding  his  competitor  begin  to  head  him  in  the  course,  seizing  him 
by  the  fore-leg  with  such  firm  teeth,  that  both  jockeys  were  obliged  to  dismount  to  part 
them. 

All  these  intellectual  and  moral  qualities  vary  in  horses  as  much  as  the  physical ;  for 
spirit  and  daring  is  not  more  universal  than  timidity  and  cowardice ;  memory,  prudence, 
aptitude  in  some,  heedlessness,  stupidity,  and  obstinacy  in  others  j  these  distinctions  are 
not  always  individual,  but  commonly  generical,  and  propagated  with  the  other  charac- 
ter of  races  and  breeds,  enter  in  the  composition  of  the  original  forms  of  each  stock ; 
and  it  will  be  found  in  treating  of  them,  that  the  most  beautiful  and  noble  are  also  the 
most  gentle  and  most  educated. 


THE  ARABIAN  EACE. 

Habitually  in  company  with  mankind,  all  the  Arabian  breeds  become  exceedingly 
gentle  and  intelligent  j  a  look  or  a  gesture  is  sufficient  to  make  them  stop,  take  up  with 
their  teeth  the  rider's  jereed,  or  any  other  object  he  may  have  dropped,  stand  by  him  if 
he  has  fallen  off  their  backs,  come  to  his  call,  and  fight  resolutely  in  his  defence ;  even 
if  he  be  sleeping  they  will  rouse  him  in  case  of  danger. 

Although  the  Arabian  steed  may  not  be  acknowledged  by  amateurs,  of  exceeding 
fast  going,  as  perfect  in  form,  no  race  is  possessed  of  a  more  beautiful  head,  for  above 
the  eyes  it  is  squarer,  and  below  the  nose  is  plane  and  more  tapering  than  any  other ; 
the  muzzle  being  fine,  short,  and  adorned  with  wide  and  delicate  nostrils ;  the  eyes  are 
very  prominent,  large,  and  brilliant ;  the  ears  small,  pointed,  movable ;  the  jaws  and 
cheeks  adorned  with  minute  swelling  veins ;  the  head  is  well  set  on  the  neck,  which 
arches  gracefully,  and  is  bedecked  with  a  fine  but  rather  deficient  mane ;  the  withers 
are  high ;  the  shoulders  inclining  and  beautifully  adjusted ;  the  chest  and  body  perhaps 
not  sufficiently  ample,  but  yet  spreading  out  behind  the  arms  to  give  room  for  action  to 
the  lungs  and  heart,  which  are  in  proportion  larger  than  in  any  other  kind  of  horse  ; 
the  limbs  are  remarkably  fine,  sinewy,  and  firmly  jointed  j  the  legs  flat  and  clean,  with 
pasterns  rather  long  and  flexible,  so  that  with  an  oblique  position  they  appear  to  the 
heavier  European  not  quite  so  strong  as  is  desirable ;  but  considering  that  in  stature 
these  horses  do  not  often  exceed  fourteen  hands  and  three-quarters,  it  is  evident  from 


12  THE  NATURALIST. 

the  length  of  time  they  will  carry  a  rider  at  great  speed,  and  under  great  restriction  of 
food,  and  the  number  of  years  they  endure,  that  for  their  climate  at  least  they  are  fully 
competent  to  accomplish  all  that  is  desirable,  and  even  execute  tasks  which  are  not 
always  believed  of  them.  The  quarters  of  an  Arab  are  deep,  the  muscles  of  the  fore- 
arm and  thigh  prominent ;  the  tail  set  on  high,  with  a  middling  proportion  of  sweeping 
hair ;  the  skin  on  all  parts  of  the  body  thin,  presenting  veins  above  the  surface ;  and  the 
hoofs,  rather  high,  are  hard  and  tough. 

Prom  the  broad  forehead  and  space  between  the  ears,  judges  assert  their  greater 
courage  and  intelligence,  which,  aided  by  education  and  kind  treatment,  they  certainly 
possess  beyond  all  other  horses ;  and  in  sobriety,  temper  and  docility,  none  can  be  com- 
pared to  them. — See  Plate,  No.  1,  Marengo  Arabe,  once  the  property  of  the  Emperor 
Napoleon ;  white  breed  of  the  bay  stock. 


THE  SHRUBAT-UR-REECH,  OR  DRINKER  OF  THE  WIND. 

On  the  sandy  plains,  south  of  Atlas,  are  the  Drinkers  of  the  Wind,  reared  by  the 
Mograbins  of  the  West ;  they  are  brown  or  gray,  rather  low,  shaped  like  greyhounds, 
destitute  of  flesh,  or,  as  M.  Davidson  terms  it,  like  a  bag  of  bones  j  but  their  spirit  is 
high,  and  endurance  of  fatigue  prodigious. — See  Plate,  No.  2. 

THE  ENGLISH  RACE-HORSE. 

In  shape,  the  race-horse,  if  we  except  his  superior  stature,  is  very  like  the  noblest 
Arab,  with  similar  eyes,  ears,  and  head  gracefully  set  on  the  neck ;  long  oblique  shoul- 
ders, high  withers,  powerful  quarters,  hocks  well  placed  under  their  weight,  vigorous 
arms  and  flat  legs,  short  from  the  knee  to  the  pasterns,  these  long  and  elastic ;  the  tail 
placed  high,  not  superabundantly  furnished  with  long  hair,  and  the  mane  likewise  rather 
thin  and  drooping ;  the  colors  of  the  blood-horse  are  bay,  chestnut,  brown,  black,  and 
gray,  but  never  dun,  Isabella,  or  roan ;  the  black  itself  being  a  residue  of  ancient  foreign 
alloy,  derived  either  from  the  old  English,  the  Spanish,  or  Barbary  breeds.  Such  is  the 
blood-horse  racer. — See  Plate,  No.  3,  the  English  race-horse  Eclipse. 

THE  SCOTTISH,  OR  SHETLAND  PONY. 

Some  of  which  scarcely  exceed  in  size  the  stature  of  a  large  dog,  and  have  been  actu- 
ally carried  in  a  gig.  Yet  there  are  among  them  many  handsome  shaggy  little  animals, 
with  huge  manes  and  abundance  of  tail  j  they  are  of  all  colors,  but  it  is  not  difficult  to 
perceive  the  original  dun  stock  as  forming  the  parent  race. — See  Plate,  No.  4. 


THE  TANGUM— PIEBALD  PRIMEVAL  STOCK  OF  TIBET. 

This  form  of  the  domesticated  horse  appears  to  claim  a  distinct  specific  existence,  in- 
asmuch as  the  typical  animal  is  found  with  its  characteristic  marks  in  a  state  perfectly 
wild,  and  it  appears  unmixed  with  wild  horses  of  other  shape  or  colors. — See  Plate,  No.  5. 

CRISP-HAIRED  HORSE— PRIMAEVAL  BLACK  STOCK. 

The  Black  Stock,  reproducing  everywhere  in  Europe  horses  of  a  large  stature,  ex- 
tends, with  little  intermixture,  down  the  Danube  and  through  Central  Germany, 
Silesia,  Moravia,  and  Bohemia,  to  the  north  side  of  the  Balkan  in  Turkey. 

See  Plate,  No.  6. 


THE  NATURALIST. 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  HUMMING-BIRDS. 

These  beautiful  and  delicate  beings  appear  to  have  excited  the  admiration  of  their 
discoverers,  and,  indeed,  of  every  one  who  has  observed  them,  either  reveling  in  their 
native  glades,  or  at  rest  in  the  more  artificial  display  of  our  museums,  by  the  spirited 
proportions  of  their  form,  and  the  dazzling  splendor  of  their  plumage, 

"  Delicate  and  beautiful, 
Thick  without  burden,  close  as  fishes'  scales." 

The  ancient  Mexicans  used  their  feathers  for  superb  mantles,  in  the  time  of  Monte- 
zuma  ;  and  the  pictures,  so  much  extolled  by  Cortes,  were  embroidered  with  their  skins ; 
the  Indian  could  appreciate  their  loveliness,  delighting  to  adorn  his  bride  with  gems 
and  jewelry,  plucked  from  the  starry  frontlets  of  these  beauteous  forms.  Every  epi- 
thet which  the  ingenuity  of  language  could  invent,  has  been  employed  to  depict  the 
richness  of  their  coloring  ;  the  lustres  of  the  topaz,  of  emeralds  and  rubies,  have  been 
compared  with  them  and  applied  in  their  names. 

These  birds  are  nearly  confined  to  the  tropical  portions  of  the  New  World,  and  that 
great  Archipelago  of  Islands,  between  Florida  and  the  mouths  of  the  Orinoco,  with 
the  main  land  of  the  Southern  Continent,  until  it  passes  the  Tropic  of  Capricorn,  literally 
swarms  with  them.  In  the  wild  and  uncultivated  parts,  they  inhabit  those  forests  of 
magnificent  timber,  overhung  with  lianas,  and  the  superb  tribe  of  Bignonacese,  the  huge 
trunks  clothed  with  a  rich  drapery  of  parasites,  whose  blossoms  only  give  way  in  beauty 
to  the  sparkling  tints  of  their  airy  tenants  ;  but  since  the  cultivation  of  various  parts  of 
the  country,  they  abound  in  the  gardens,  arid  seem  to  delight  in  society ;  becoming  fa- 
miliar, and  destitute  of  fear,  hovering  over  one  side  of  a  shrub,  while  the  fruit  or  flower 
is  plucked  from  that  opposite. 

As  we  recede  from  the  tropics,  on  either  side,  the  numbers  decrease,  though  some  spe- 
cies are  found  in  Mexico,  and  others  in  Peru,  which  do  not  appear  to  exist  elsewhere. 
Mr.  Bullock  discovered  several  species  at  a  high  elevation,  and  consequently  low  tempera- 
ture, on  the  lofty  table  lands  of  Mexico,  and  in  the  woods  in  the  vicinity  of  the  snowy 
mountains  of  Orizabo ;  while  numerous  members  of  this  diminutive  family,  flung  about 
in  a  snow  storm,  near  the  Straits  of  Magellan. 

Two  species,  only,  extend  far  into  the  northern  continent  of  America.  The  ruff- 
necked  humming  bird,  discovered  by  Captain  Cook  in  Nootka  Sound ;  and  the  Northern 
humming-bird,  so  beautifully  described  by  Wilson,  has  been  obtained  from  the  plains  of  the 


14  THE  NATURALIST. 

Saskachawan,  and  was  found  breeding  near  the  sources  of  the  Elk  River ;  it  is  known  to 
reach  as  far  north  as  the  57th  parallel. 

The  humming-birds  are  of  a  lively  and  active  disposition,  almost  constantly  on  the 
wing,  and  performing  all  their  motions  with  great  rapidity  ;  their  flight  is  in  darts,  and  it 
is  at  this  time,  in  a  brilliant  sun,  that  the  variations  of  their  plumage  are  displayed  with 
the  greatest  advantage. 

"  Each  rapid  movement  gives  a  different  dye  ; 
Like  scales  of  burnished  gold,  they  dazzling  show, 
Now  sink  to  shade — now  like  a  furnace  glow." 

But  when  performing  a  lengthened  flight,  as  during  migration,  they  pass  through  the  air 
in  long  undulations,  raising  themselves  for  some  distance,  and  then  falling  in  a  curve. 
When  about  to  feed,  or  in  search  of  a  favorite  flower,  they  hover  stationary,  surveying 
all  around,  and  suddenly  dart  off  to  the  object.  They  remain  suspended  in  the  air  in  a 
space  barely  sufficient  for  them  to  move  their  wings,  and  the  humming  noise  proceeds 
entirely  from  the  surprising  velocity  with  which  they  perform  that  motion,  by  which 
they  will  keep  their  bodies  in  the  air,  apparently  motionless,  for  hours  together. 

They  seldom  alight  upon  the  ground,  but  perch  easily  on  branches ;  they  are  also 
possessed  of  boldness  and  familiarity,  and  even  attack  and  tease  the  king-bird.  Among 
themselves  they  are  exceedingly  pugnacious,  two  males  seldom  meeting  on  the  same 
bush  or  flower  without  a  battle.  In  the  gardens  they  flutter  about  without  heeding 
intruders. 

During  the  breeding  season,  if  the  nest  is  approached,  they  dart  round  with  a  hum- 
ming sound,  often  passing  within  a  few  inches  of  the  person ;  and  should  the  young  be 
newly  hatched,  the  female  will  almost  immediately  resume  her  seat,  though  the  in- 
truders continue  within  a  few  yards  distance.  The  intrepidity  and  jealousy  of  a  dimi- 
nutive Mexican  species  far  exceeds  the  quiet  courage  of  the  Northern  birds.  When 
attending  their  young,  they  attack  any  bird  indiscriminately  that  approaches  the  nest. 
Their  motions,  when  under  the  influence  of  anger  and  fear,  are  very  violent,  and  their 
flights  rapid  as  an  arrow.  The  eye  cannot  follow  them,  but  the  shrill  piercing  shriek 
which  they  utter  on  the  wing,  may  be  heard  when  the  bird  is  invisible,  and  often  lead 
to  their  destruction  by  preparing  for  their  approach.  They  attack  the  eyes  of  the 
larger  birds,  and  their  sharp  needle-like  bill  is  a  truly  formidable  weapon  in  that  kind 
of  warfare.  Nothing  can  exceed  their  fierceness  when  one  of  their  own  species  invades 
their  territory  during  the  breeding  season ;  under  the  influence  of  jealousy  they  become 
perfect  furies ;  their  throats  swell ;  their  crests,  tails  and  wings  expand ;  they  fight  in 
the  air,  uttering  a  shrill  noise,  till  one  falls  exhausted  to  the  ground.  When  they  see 
a  man  climb  the  tree  where  they  have  their  nests,  they  fly  at  his  face  and  strike  him  in 
the  eyes,  coming,  going,  and  returning,  with  such  swiftness  that  no  man  would  rightly 
believe  it  that  had  not  seen  it. 

The  nests  are  built  with  great  delicacy,  but  at  the  same  time  with  much  compactness 
and  warmth.  On  the  plains,  near  the  Elk  River,  the  nest  of  this  hardy  bird  is  built  of 
the  materials  that  are  most  appropriate  in  the  country  j  the  downy  seeds  of  an  anemone, 
bound  with  a  few  stalks  of  moss  and  lichen. 

The  nest  of  Trochilus  Pella  is  principally  composed  of  a  spongy  cellular  substance, 
apparently  similar  to  that  of  a  fungus,  of  which  some  species  of  wasps  build  large  habi- 
tations, suspended  from  the  branches  of  trees  in  the  virgin  forests  of  Guiana. 

The  nest  of  the  black  humming-bird  is  also  made  of  cotton,  entwined  round  the 
thorns  and  twigs  of  the  citron-tree,  and  is  of  so  firm  a  texture  as  not  to  be  easily  broken 


ORNITHOLOGY.  15 

by  the  winds.  And  the  nest  of  the  topaz-crested  humming-bird,  about  seven-eighths  of 
an  inch  in  diameter,  is  composed  of  the  same  materials,  stuck  over  with  lichens  on  the 
outside,  and- firmly  fixed  in  the  hanging  cleft  of  some  strong  creeper  by  threads  of  a 
cottony  substance,  and  very  slender  roots  or  tendrils,  the  whole  lower  part  as  if  cemented 
by  a  thin  coat  of  glue. 

Most  writers  agree  in  the  fact,  that  humming-birds  lay  only  two  eggs,  but  the 
trochilus  hirsutus  lays  only  one.  This  small  fecundity,  with  the  many  casualties 
which  are  liable  to  destroy  them,  the  vicissitudes  of  season,  and  the  assaults  of  vari- 
ous animals,  birds,  and  even  insects,  will  give  us  some  idea  in  what  immense  profu- 
sion these  little  birds  exist,  when  two,  or  at  most  four,  is  the  number  of  young  reared 
in  a  season. 

The  eggs  are  not  so  small  in  proportion  as  one  would  imagine  on  looking  at  the 
bird.  That  of  the  topaz-crested  humming-bird  is  nearly  five-eighths  of  an  inch  in 
length,  and  about  three-eighths  in  diameter.  In  shape  they  are  nearly  a  complete 
oval,  and  of  a  pure  and  delicate  white.  The  period  of  incubation  is  remarkably  short  j 
the  black  humming-bird  sits  twelve  days,  and  the  young  leave  the  nest  and  follow 
their  parents  in  eighteen  days  j  and  the  North  American  species,  according  to 
Audubon,  hatches  only  ten  days,  and  the  young  are  ready  to  fly  in  one  week. 

The  desire  to  possess  creatures  of  such  beauty  in  a  tame  state,  has  induced  persons 
often  to  try  the  experiment  of  keeping  them  in  cages,  though  yet  comparatively 
without  success. 

When  we  examine  attentively  the  structure  of  any  bird,  we  soon  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  most  important  parts  of  its  outward  form  are  those  organs  which 
serve  for  the  means  of  transporting  it  from  place  to  place.  On  presenting  a  hum- 
ming-bird to  the  most  common  observer,  the  first  exclamation  generally  is,  "  What  a 
beautiful  little  creature !"  The  second,  "  But  what  large  wings  it  has !"  Such,  indeed, 
is  the  case,  and  in  most  instances  the  size  of  the  wings  and  strength  of  their  quills 
are  entirely  out  of  proportion  to  our  ideas  of  symmetry  in  a  creature  clothed  with 
feathers ;  but,  upon  comparing  them  with  its  necessities,  and  the  other  parts  of  its 
frame,  their  utility  and  design  become  obvious.  All  their  other  parts,  not  called  into 
action  during  flight,  are  very  slender,  almost  frail ;  their  tarsi  are  short,  and  the  feet 
small,  so  as  riot  to  incommode  during  flight,  while  they  point  out  an  inability  for  any 
long  support  or  assistance  in  procuring  sustenance,  by  climbing  or  hanging  in  various 
positions,  as  we  see  employed  by  the  titmice,  and  many  of  the  slender-billed  warblers. 
Their  food  is  derived  from  the  sweet  nectar  of  flowers,  or  from  insects  which  must 
either  be  taken  in  a  rapid  flight,  or  withdrawn  from  the  deep  tube,  or  cup-shaped  re- 
cess of  blossoms  which  grow  and  hang  in  every  direction,  and  which  it  would  be 
impossible  to  reach  unless  by  suspension  above  or  under.  Another  great  necessity  for 
their  possessing  organs  of  such  power,  is  to  enable  them  to  pass  in  safety  through  the 
migrations,  and  the  long  flights  which  are  sometimes  necessary  for  their  preservation, 
and  during  which  they  have  often  to  withstand  a  passing  gale,  showers,  or  even  the 
rigor  of  a  snow-storm.  The  beautiful  climes  where  we  have  seen  they  inhabit,  are  at 
seasons  subject  to  perpetual  rains,  which  drench  and  almost  inundate  their  abodes,  or 
to  hurricanes  that  in  a  few  minutes  leave  only  a  wreck  of  all  that  was  before  so  mag- 
nificent and  luxuriant  ;  and  they  pass  by  these  means  before  the  dangerous  season,  to 
districts  where  the  reparation  of  a  previous  wreck  is  proceeding  with  all  the  magical 
rapidity  of  tropical  vegetation. 

The  wings  in  general  exceed  the  tail  in  length,  unless  when  that  member  is  extra* 
3 


16  THE  NATURALIST. 

ordinarily  developed.  The  exterior  outline  of  the  wing  is  very  much  curved,  and  the 
first  quill  is  always  longest,  the  others  shortening  gradually.  The  secondaries  are 
very  short,  and  the  lesser  wing-coverts  occupy  little  space.  The  plumulets  of  the 
quills  are  narrow  and  compact,  firmly  united  together,  forming  a  substance,  when 
used,  almost  like  a  thin  plate  of  whalebone,  and  which,  by  presenting  resistance  to 
the  air  when  struck,  and  allowing  no  part  to  pass  through  the  webs,  as  in  nocturnal 
feeding  birds,  produces  the  humming  sound  which  is  heard  during  their  suspension, 
and  whence  their  common  name  has  been  applied. 

The  organ  of  next  importance,  as  directing  the  flight,  is  the  tail.  This  is  always 
powerful,  and  presents  every  modification  which  we  find  in  those  birds  endowed  with 
powerful  or  rapid  flight. 

The  bill  is  always  an  important  organ  in  birds.  This  family  presents  great  modifi- 
cation of  form,  which  will  be  seen  by  inspecting  the  plates,  and  will  be  further 
illustrated  when  we  characterize  the  divisions. 

The  tongue  is  very  long,  retractile,  and  capable  of  being  darted  out  with  considera- 
ble force.  It  is  composed  of  two  muscular  tubes  joined  together  for  the  greater  part 
of  their  length  ;  and  terminated  in  a  spoonlike  point  on  the  upper  surface.  They 
assist  in  retaining  the  different  substances,  which  are  immediately  conveyed  to  the 
opening  of  the  cesophagus  by  the  contractility  of  the  tubes. 

Their  feet  are  very  small  and  slender.  The  claws  are  rather  large  in  proportion, 
very  much  hooked,  very  sharp,  and  may  thereby  assist  in  securing  a  firmer  grasp. 


TROCHILUS  ORNATUS. 

THE  TUFT-NECKED  HUMMING-BIRD. 

Among  the  curious  forms  assumed  by  the  plumage  of  the  humming-birds,  we  have 
seen  various  feathered  excrescences  issuing  from  different  parts  of  the  body,  and  in 
none  are  they  so  singular  as  in  the  tribe  which  our  present  species  represent.  They 
are  called,  by  the  French,  coquets. 

In  this  bird,  in  addition  to  an  ample  crest  of  clear  reddish  chestnut  upon  the  head, 
the  sides  of  the  neck  are  adorned  with  tufts  of  narrow  feathers,  almost  an  inch  in 
length ;  they  are  composed  of  from  ten  to  twenty  plumes,  of  the  same  color  with  the 
crest,  and  are  terminated  with  a  broadened  tip  of  clear  shining  green.  The  throat  and 
upper  part  of  the  breast,  with  the  forehead,  bordering  the  rufous  crest,  is  covered 
with  bright  emerald-green  scaly  feathers,  which  are  separated  from  the  upper  parts  by 
a  line  of  a  paler  shade  running  through  the  eyes  to  the  rictus,  and  from  the  lower 
part  of  the  breast  and  belly,  by  a  band  of  rufous  of  the  same  tint  with  the  crest ;  the 
upper  parts  are  of  a  bronzed  green,  with  steel-blue  reflections;  arid  this  is  again  sepa- 
rated from  the  tail  by  a  conspicuous  band  of  grayish  white.  The  tail  is  broad  and 
ample  ;  the  centre  feathers  greenish ;  the  others  deep  chestnut  red,  with  purplish  re- 
flections.— See  Plate,  No.  1 . 


TROCHILUS  CORA. 


THE  CORA  HUMMING-BIRD. 


The  whole  length  of  this  little  bird  is  about  five  inches  five  lines,  of  which  the  tail 
makes  three  inches  and  two  lines.     The  upper  part  of  the  head,  back,  rump,  and 


ORNITHOLOGY.  17 

wing-coverts,  are  of  a  uniform  brilliant  green ;  the  feathers  of  the  throat,  neck  and 
cheeks,  are  of  a  bluish  or  steely  lustre,  and  have  the  form  of  scales  ;  the  remaining 
lower  parts  of  the  body  are  of  a  dingy  white,  brownish  on  the  flanks;  the  tail  feathers 
are  white  at  the  base  of  the  inner  webs,  brownish  on  the  outer,  and  towards  the  tips 
the  feet  are  reddish.— See  Plate,  No.  2. 


TROCHILUS  COLUBRIS. 

NORTHERN  HUMMING-BIRD. 

Our  present  species  is  one  of  the  most  hardy,  and  bears  a  range  of  temperature 
almost  from  tropical  heat  to  the  rigor  of  an  arctic  latitude,  having  been  lately  ob- 
served as  far  North  as  the  plains  of  the  Saskachawan  and  the  banks  of  the  Elk  River. 
It  is  only  during  summer  that  an  excursion  of  such  distance  is  made,  and  we  find  their 
arrival,  during  migration,  occurring  at  different  periods,  in  various  parts  of  the  Canadas 
and  the  United  States. 

About  the  25th  of  April,  the  humming  bird  usually  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  ;  and 
about  the  10th  of  May  begins  to  build  its  nest.  In  the  Savanna  in  Georgia,  it  appears 
from  the  South  about  the  23d  of  March,  two  weeks  earlier  than  it  does  sixty  miles 
higher  up  the  country. 

The  Northern  Humming  Bird  is  three  inches  and  a-half  in  length,  and  four  and 
a-quarter  in  extent  ;  the  whole  back,  upper  part  of  the  neck,  sides,  under  the  wings, 
tail-coverts,  and  two  middle  feathers  of  the  tail,  are  of  a  rich  golden  green ;  the  tail 
and  wings  are  deep  brownish  purple ;  the  sides  of  the  belly,  and  belly  itself,  dusky 
white,  mixed  with  green.  But  what  constitutes  the  chief  ornament  of  this  little  bird, 
is  the  splendor  of  the  feathers  of  his  throat,  which,  when  placed  in  a  proper  position, 
glow  with  all  the  brilliancy  of  the  ruby;  these  feathers  are  of  singular  strength  and 
texture,  lying  close  together  like  scales,  and  vary,  when  moved  before  the  eye,  from 
a  deep  black  to  a  fiery  crimson  and  a  burning  orange. — See  Plate,  No.  3. 


TROCHILUS  PRASINA. 

GOLDEN-GREEN   HUMMING-BIRD. 

The  entire  length  of  this  beautiful  little  bird  is  about  two  inches  and  eight 
lines,  of  which  the  bill  makes  up  seven  lines,  and  the  form  is  in  general  delicate,  the 
whole  plumage,  excepting  the  vent,  is  of  a  very  deep  golden-green,  but  with  a  clear, 
brilliant,  and  changing  lustre,  occasionally  of  a  bluish  tint ;  the  plumes  on  the  fore- 
head and  breast,  presenting  the  greatest  brightness,  and  assuming  the  scaly  form,  the 
vent  is  whitish ;  the  wings  are  brownish  purple,  of  a  narrow  form,  and  firm  texture ; 
the  tail,  dull  indigo  blue,  broad  and  slightly  rounded. — See  Plate,  No.  4. 


TROCHILUS  DELALANDH. 

DELALANDE'S  HUMMING-BIRD. 

The  crown  of  this  bird  is  adorned  with  a  beautiful  crest,  composed  of  short  feathers, 
with  generally  one  narrow  and  elongated,  which  rises  in  the  centre,  to  an  inch  in 
length  ;  it  is  of  a  rich  and  deep  blue,  tipped  with  white,  and  appears  very  graceful, 
either  when  erected,  or  reclining,  and  folded  at  rest,  behind  the  eye ;  upon  the  auric- 


18  THE  NATURALIST. 

ulars  there  is  a  small,  nearly  circular  patch  of  clear  white,  which  forms  a  conspic- 
uous object ;  the  fore-part  of  the  throat,  breast,  and  belly,  are  rich  azure  blue,  surround- 
ed with  gray ;  the  head,  back,  flanks,  and  wing  coverts,  bright  and  shining  green  j  the 
vent  and  flanks  are  gray ;  the  wings  are  brownish  purple  ;  the  centre  feathers  of  the 
tail  of  the  color  of  the  upper  parts  j  the  remaining  feathers  are  dull  blue,  and  the 
outer  feathers  have  a  conspicuous  spot  of  clear  white  at  the  extremities. 
See  Plate,  No.  5. 


TROCHILUS  CORNUTUS. 

DOUBLE-CRESTED    HUMMING-BIRD. 

This  humming-bird  is  about  four  inches  in  length,  of  which  the  tail  alone  measures 
nearly  the  half;  the  bill  and  feet  are  remarkably  slender,  the  former  slightly  bent, 
terminating  in  a  very  fine  point.  The  most  characteristic  mark  of  this  species  is  the 
two  flattened  crests,  composed  of  six  feathers,  which  divide  in  front  of  the  head,  on 
a  level  with  the  eyes,  and  are  directed  forwards. 

The  colors  of  these  tufts  certainly  baffle  description,  and  an  idea  can  only  be  con- 
veyed by  likening  them  to  some  familiar  object,  such  as  the  bright  and  changing  hues 
of  steel,  and  other  metals,  or  the  sparkling  tints  of  precious  stones  j  the  entire  of  the 
forehead  between  the  tufts  is  covered  with  scaly  feathers,  of  brilliant  green  and  blue 
reflections.  A  gorget  of  deep  and  rich  purple,  composed  of  lengthened  feathers, 
reaches  from  behind  the  eyes,  upon  the  breast  j  the  breast  and  upper  parts  of  the  belly 
are  of  the  purest  white  ;  the  same  color  crosses  the  lower  sides  of  the  neck,  nearly 
meeting  on  the  back,  and  forms  a  beautiful  contrast  to  the  deep  colored  and  deli- 
cately formed  feathers  of  the  gorget  j  the  belly  and  vent  are  of  the  same  green  with 
the  upper  parts  j  the  wings  are  brown ;  the  tail  is  strongly  wedge-shaped  j  the  two 
centre  feathers  brown  j  the  others  pure  white. — See  Plate,  No.  6. 


TROCHILUS  MAGNIFICUS. 

MAGNIFICENT  HUMMING-BIRD. 

The  adult  male  has  the  neck  adorned  with  beautiful  plumulets  of  snowy  white, 
relieved  by  a  black  or  very  dark  olive-green  band  on  the  tip  of  each.  These 
tufts  are  also  far  different,  the  feathers  are  much  shorter  and  broader,  and  scarce- 
ly present  so  stiff  an  appearance,  as  those  of  its  congeners,  while  the  ruff  extends 
nearly  round  like  a  gorget  in  front.  In  the  young  males  neither  the  crest  nor  ruff 
appears ;  the  crown  of  the  head  is  of  a  dull  yellowish  red,  changing  into  a  darker  and 
grayer  shade  towards  the  hind  head,  which  runs  in  a  line  from  the  eye  to  the  shoulders ; 
the  upper  parts  are  of  a  rich  green,  and  are  separated  by  the  above  mentioned  line 
from  the  lower  region  of  the  body,  which  is  of  a  grayish  white,  tinged  with  rufous  on 
the  throat  and  breast,  and  entirely  devoid  of  the  brilliant  scaly  plumes  occupying  the 
throat  of  the  adult.  It  is  a  native  of  Brazil. 

See  Plate,  No.  7, 


THE  NATURALIST. 


YCHTHYOLOGY. 


THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  FISHES. 

THE  study  of  fishes,  technically  termed  Ychthyology,  was,  perhaps,  longer  in  being 
brought  to  what  might  be  called  a  science,  than  the  histories  and  descriptions  of  animals 
and  birds.  The  difficulty  of  procuring  a  numerous  series  of  individuals,  and  the  impos- 
sibility of  penetrating  and  pursuing  them  in  the  deep  recesses  of  the  ocean,  withdrew 
the  constant  charm  which  novelty  of  form  threw  over  the  branches  constituted  by  those 
animals  which  inhabited  the  same  element  with  ourselves. 

Living  in  a  different  element  from  that  which  maintains  most  of  the  mammalia  and 
birds,  we  find  the  external  covering  of  fishes  to  consist  of  plates,  or  scales,  supplying 
the  place  of  hair  or  feathers.  The  skin  of  fishes  completely  surrounds  the  body,  clasp- 
ing close  to  the  muscles,  and  serving  as  an  outward  skeleton,  as  the  bones  do  for  a  pro- 
tection to  the  inward  parts.  The  scales  are  composed  of  two  substances,  the  one  allied 
to  that  of  horn,  the  other  to  that  which  forms  the  enamel  of  teeth. 

The  scales  are  held  in  position  by  a  fold  of  the  epidermis,  often  so  delicate  as  scarcely 
to  be  visible,  but  which  covers  almost  the  whole  part  of  the  fish  exposed  to  our  view. 
They  fold  over  each  other  in  different  modes  of  imbrication ;  sometimes  regularly,  like 
the  tiling  of  a  house ;  sometimes  in  a  lateral  form,  or  with  the  lower  longitudinal  edge 
folding  over  the  upper  edge  of  the  scale  below;  sometimes  alternately,  so  that  the  join- 
ing of  the  preceding  scale  is  opposite  the  centre  of  that  which  follows,  while  in  others 
there  is  no  imbrication  at  all,  and  the  edges  meet  like  plates,  or  the  flags  of  a  pavement. 

The  Baron  Cuvier  assumes  the  common  perch  among  fishes  as  the  form  in  which  the 
greatest  general  perfection  is  exhibited,  (see  plate  No.  1,)  and  being  a  species  familiarly 
known  to  every  one,  will  serve  to  convey  an  idea  of  this  class  of  beings. 

In  the  perch,  and  indeed  in  all  those  fishes  which  are  endowed  with  extensive  loco- 
motive powers,  or  require  swiftness  to  seize  their  prey,  the  tail  is  the  great  organ  of 
motion,  while  the  fins  are  the  balancers  or  directors,  a  contrary  arrangement  to  that 
shown  in  the  members  of  those  creatures  of  the  land  and  air,  where  the  tail  is  the 
director  or  helm,  the  feet  and  wings  the  movers.  The  fins  on  the  upper  surface  serve 
to  balance  the  body,  those  of  the  lower  surface  to  turn  it,  to  move  it  slowly,  and  to 
keep  it  suspended  in  strong  currents  ;  but  in  all  these,  the  motion  or  assistance  of  the 
tail  is  ,observable.  In  very  swift  motion  the  fins  are  quiet ;  the  creature  could  not  keep 
them  extended,  far  less  use  them,  and  they  fold  closely  to  the  body,  and  offer  no  re- 
sistance to  its  rapid  passage  through  the  water. 

The  senses  among  fishes  may  almost  be  said  to  be  confined  to  three — those  of  seeing, 


20  THE    NATURALIST. 

hearing,  and  smelling,  all  very  acute.  Those  of  taste  and  touch  are  to  all  appearance 
in  subordinate  development,  nor  with  the  powerful  exercise  of  the  others  are  they  con- 
ducive, or  necessary  to  the  existence  of  the  individual.  There  is  a  general  sense  of 
feeling  by  contact  with  any  body  over  the  surface  of  the  animal ;  but  unless  in  those 
species  which  are  furnished  with  long  filamentous  appendages  to  the  head,  there  is  no 
organ  by  which  this  property  is  regularly  exercised.  In  those  fish,  when  lying  at  the 
bottom  in  disturbed  water,  the  filaments  are  extended,  and  may  serve  to  make  them 
aware  of  the  approach  of  an  enemy ;  and  among  others,  (in  the  Siluri,)  where  they  are 
of  great  length,  and  are  thrown  out  and  moved,  to  attract  attention ;  from  their  sensi- 
bility of  touch,  while  the  fish  remains  in  concealment,  they  may  warn  the  lurker  that 
his  prey  approaches,  and  enable  him  to  prepare  for  its  seizure. 

The  sense  of  taste  seems  even  developed  in  a  less  degree,  the  organ  in  which  it  is 
generally  implanted  being  used  as  an  accessory  to  prehension,  and  often  armed  with 
very  strong  teeth.  Swallowing,  also,  almost  immediately  follows  the  seizure;  the 
prey,  gorged  entire,  and  without  mastication  in  the  mouth,  is  rapidly  dissolved  and 
digested  in  the  stomach. 

The  important  function  of  vision  is  imparted  to  fishes  to  a  greater  extent,  and  if,  per- 
haps, the  range  of  seeing  be  not  great,  when  within  its  bounds  it  is  apparently  acute 
and  distinct ;  and  as  among  the  higher  vertebrata  we  have  some  which  are  nocturnal  in 
their  habits,  as  well  as  those  which  seek  their  prey  by  day,  so  we  find  among  fishes  a 
difference  of  form  in  the  large  eyes  of  many  species  which  constantly  remain  at  a 
depth  of  many  hundred  fathoms  below  the  surface,  and  where  it  has  been  proved  that 
the  influence  of  light  could  not  extend.  In  some,  again,  the  eyes  are  remarkable  for 
their  minuteness,  and  to  several  species  the  specific  name  Ccsca,  or  blind,  has  been  ap- 
plied. These,  like  the  mole  in  her  dark  galleries,  live  in  the  banks  of  muddy  rivers, 
and  are  no  doubt  furnished  with  some  more  exquisite  sense  to  supply  their  wants,  and 
minister  to  their  sustenance.  In  the  Gastrobranchus,  a  fish  remarkable  in  all  its  struc- 
ture, no  trace  whatever  of  eyes  has  yet  been  discovered. 

Water,  the  medium  through  which  fishes  hear,  has  been  proved  to  be  a  better  con- 
ductor of  sound  than  air ;  and,  from  a  variety  of  experiments,  sounds  produced  under 
water  have  a  loud  and  clear  impression  on  the  human  ear,  placed  in  the  same  situa- 
tion. In  fishes  there  is  no  external  ear,  except  in  a  few  where  a  very  small  cavity  is 
discernible.  They  want  the  tympanum,  the  small  bones,  and  the  eustachian  tubes ; 
but  the  semi-circular  canals  are  often  largely  developed.  In  the  osseous  fishes,  the 
whole  of  the  labyrinth  of  the  ear  projects  into  the  cavity  of  the  cranium.  The  laby- 
rinth is  filled  with  a  transparent  liquid,  distending  the  vestibule  and  sack,  which  con- 
tain small  and  peculiar  bony  substances,  two  or  three  in  number,  which  float  in  the 
liquid,  and  would  apparently  convey  the  sense  of  any  concussion  to  the  nervous  linings 
of  the  edges,  and  upon  the  principal  plexus  of  the  auditory  nerve,  which  is  ramified  in 
the  greatest  proportion  on  the  walls  of  the  sack,  which  generally  contains  the  largest 
of  these  hard  osseous  bodies. 

The  structure  of  the  ears  in  fishes  is  certainly  less  perfect  and  less  complicated 
than  in  the  higher  mammalia  and  birds ;  and  Cuvier  is  of  opinion,  that  though  they 
hear  sounds  distinctly,  or  as  concussions,  yet  they  are  unable  to  distinguish  any  of  the 
finer  tones  or  variations.  That  they  are  sensible  of  the  impulses  of  sound  has  often 
been  proved,  and  fish  are  known  to  approach  for  food  at  the  whistle  of  their  keeper. 
The  Romans  were  even  said  to  have  taught  each  to  approach  upon  being  called  by  a 
particular  name. 


YCHTHYOLOGY.  21 

Smelling,  again,  appears  to  be  even  farther  developed  than  what  is  generally  sup- 
posed. The  nostrils,  in  general,  appear  externally  like  a  double  hole  or  opening,  and 
the  branches  of  the  nerve  are  ramified  on  a  sort  of  cushion  at  the  bottom  or  upon  the 
side.  In  a  few,  they  are  like  prolonged  tubes,  as  among  the  eels,  where  the  multi- 
plicity of  nervous  filaments  is  very  great ;  and  in  one  fish  they  are  remarkable  as  being 
placed  on  a  sort  of  stalk  like  a  mushroom,  in  which  the  openings  are  placed  with  the 
nervous  distribution.  Seeing,  then,  a  certain  extent  of  development,  we  cannot  doubt 
that  impressions  of  smell  are  conveyed.  In  proof,  various  perfumes  are  successfully 
used  by  anglers  to  attract  the  fishes. 

But  Cuvier  hints  at  this  sense  being  even  of  service  for  a  purpose  of  more  delicacy — 
that  of  distinguishing  the  difference  between  waters  of  different  streams  or  currents ; 
and  it  is  probable,  that,  by  the  use  of  these  organs,  many  of  our  migratory  fresh  water 
species  are  enabled  again  to  discover  and  return  to  the  rivers  they  had  previously 
frequented. 

Such  seems  to  be  the  most  common  distribution  of  the  three  most  prevalent  senses. 
Various,  however,  are  the  modifications  of  their  application,  corresponding  with  the 
manners  and  necessities  of  the  individuals. 

The  greater  proportion  of  fishes  are  carnivorous,  and  find  an  abundant  and  varied  food 
in  the  immense  profusion  of  moluscous  animals,  as  well  as  in  the  smaller  species  of 
their  own  orders,  for  among  them  may  be  said  to  exist  a  constant  system  of  attack  and 
defence — a  general  war,  the  stronger  against  the  weaker.  A  few  only  subsist  on  vege- 
bles,  and  graze  the  sea-weed,  their  pasture.  The  teeth,  the  only  organs  almost  of  pre- 
hension, are  therefore  varied  in  innumerable  forms,  but  are  chiefly  adapted  either  for 
tearing  or  bruising.  In  the  cartilaginous  fish,  we  find  these  forms  strongly  developed  ; 
those  of  the  sharks  will  exhibit  an  example  of  the  first,  of  the  most  formidable  kind,  of 
great  size  and  strength,  smooth  and  piercing,  or  sharp,  but  serrated.  Those  of  the  rays 
or  skates  of  the  second,  fitted  for  bruising,  where  the  food  is  in  a  great  part  shell-fish, 
and  where  the  teeth  are  arranged  as  a  dense  pavement.  In  others,  again,  the  teeth, 
various  in  size  and  strength,  are  placed  in  the  jaws,  vomer,  tongue,  arches  of  the 
bronchi®,  and  in  the  throat.  The  latter  arrangement  is  one  of  the  most  singular,  and 
bears  the  title  among  French  ychthyologists  of  "  dents  en  velour,"  from  their  exhibiting 
the  appearance,  to  the  naked  eye,  of  the  pile  of  coarse  velvet.  These  act  by  the 
compression  of  the  lower  pharyngeal  muscles,  and  an  example  will  be  found  in  the 
genus  Cyprinus,  to  which  belong  the  greater  part  of  those  fishes  which,  by  English 
anglers,  are  denominated  "  leather  mouths."  The  food  being  seized,  is  almost  imme- 
diately swallowed ;  and  such  is  its  voracity,  that  substances  entirely  foreign  are  often 
taken  in,  as  may  almost  always  be  seen  on  examining  the  stomach  of  a  cod,  which 
sometimes  presents  a  most  heterogeneous  mass,  little  fitted  for  nutrition. 

Although  the  teeth  and  jaws,  with  pursuit,  are  the  principal  accessaries  for  securing 
prey,  various  fishes,  deprived  of  swiftness,  entice  their  prey  by  stratagem.  Such  are 
all  the  Siluri,  with  long  filamentous  appendages  to  the  lips,  which,  in  some,  are  said  to 
possess  the  property  of  stinging.  Others,  again,  lurk  in  concealment,  and  dart  out 
upon  the  casual  passers  by.  The  Rostrated  Cheetodon  employs  a  most  singular  property 
of  propelling  a  drop  of  water  with  unerring  aim  and  considerable  force  at  insects 
which  have  settled  on  aquatic  plants,  seizing  them  on  their  fall  into  the  water.  But  of 
all  the  properties  with  which  these  singular  creatures  are  endowed,  either  for  attack  or 
defence,  that  of  the  benumbing  and  electric  stroke  of  the  Torpedo  and  Gymnotus  is  the 
most  remarkable.  Experiments  have  tended  to  confirm  its  connection  with  the  galvanic 


22  THE   NATURALIST. 

influence.  Many  an  assailant  must  be  most  unexpectedly  stopped  by  it ;  and  the  fishes 
which  are  endowed  with  it  being,  in  general,  of  slow  motion,  lurk  until  their  victims 
approach  within  the  influence  of  their  deadly  and  peculiar  power. 

The  reproduction  and  migration  of  fish  is  another  part  of  their  history  full  of  interest. 
They  are,  with  a  few  exceptions,  oviparous,  and  fruitful  to  a  most  surprising  degree — 
so  much  so,  that  if  the  whole  ova  were  to  be  matured,  bounds  could  not  be  assigned  to 
them,  and  the  expanse  of  the  waters  would  be  crammed  j  but  among  the  millions  of 
ova  which  are  deposited,  those  hatched  to  maturity  will  not  exceed  one  in  the  thousand, 
perhaps  a  much  less  proportion,  and  in  their  great  fertility  we  see  both  a  beneficent 
design  in  furnishing  an  ample  supply  of  food  for  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  same 
element,  and  for  the  numerous  tribes  of  waterfowl  which,  at  some  seasons,  feed  entirely 
on  the  eggs  and  fry  5  while,  on  the  other  hand,  without  this  abundant  power  of  gene- 
ration, a  stock  could  not  be  saved  from  the  numerous  enemies  of  sea  and  air  to  which 
they  are  nearly  cxnstantly  exposed.  In  general,  the  eggs  are  deposited  in  water  com- 
paratively shallow,  upon  rocks,  or  gravelly  or  sandy  banks,  on  aquatic  plants,  or  marine 
algse,  or  in  holes  formed  in  the  banks  or  borders  of  the  lakes  or  rivers ;  and  to  the 
strong  instinctive  principle  which  impels  these  creatures  to  seek  suitable  situations  for 
the  deposition  of  their  spawn,  do  we  owe  the  abundant  supply  of  fish  which  annually 
resort  to  our  shore. 

There  is  one  circumstance  in  the  breeding  of  fishes  which  requires  notice — that  of  no 
care  being  bestowed  on  the  ova,  or  young,  after  a  place  has  been  selected  and  finished 
for  the  deposition,  or  after  they  are  hatched.  There  seem,  however,  here  also,  to  be 
exceptions.  The  Caltichthys  littoralis  makes  a  regular  nest  of  long  leaves,  or  grass,  in 
which  they  lay  their  eggs  in  a  flattened  cluster,  and  cover  them  over  most  carefully. 
They  remain  by  the  side  of  the  nest  till  the  spawn  is  hatched,  with  as  much  solicitude 
as  a  hen  guards  her  eggs,  both  male  and  female,  for  they  are  monogamous,  steadily 
watching  the  spawn,  and  courageously  attacking  any  assailant. 

In  their  economical  uses  to  man,  fish  are  principally  important  as  an  article  of  food, 
and  from  the  employment  they  afford  to  the  more  dependent  classes  j  but  oil  is  the  com- 
modity greatest  in  value  and  quality,  produced  from  them.  The  quantity  of  fish  killed 
for  these  purposes,  is  truly  immense.  What  then  will  be  the  aggregate  of  the  creatures 
in  this  department  of  zoology  which  are  yearly  consumed  in  our  commerce  ?  Isinglass 
is  made  from  the  swimming  bladders ;  glue  from  the  coarser  refuse  of  fins ;  artificial 
pearls  from  the  scales,  &c. 


GENUS  PERCA. 


PERCH. 


The  genus  Perca,  first  and  typical  of  the  family,  is  familiarly  known  in  the  form  of 
the  Common  Perch.  The  characters  may  be  shortly  stated: — Preopercle,  toothed; 
opercle,  spined ;  suborbitary  bones,  delicately  toothed ;  tongue  free.  The  dorsal  fins 
are  very  powerful,  the  spines  strong  and  sharp.  The  scaling  moderately  large,  and  with 
the  posterior  edge  toothed.  Swimming  bladder  very  large.  Number  of  vertebrae  in  the 
common  species,  forty-two.  They  are  all  inhabitants  of  the  fresh  waters,  delighting  in 
lakes  and  still  running  streams.  Feed  on  marine  insects  and  small  fish.  The  colors  are 


YCHTHYOLOGY.  23 

often  brilliant,  disposed  in  bands  on  the  body,  or  distributed  in  vivid  tints  on  the  fins, 
which  contrast  with  the  more  sombre  shades.  They  inhabit  North  America,  Europe, 
India,  the  sea-like  lakes  of  America,  and  the  sluggish  parts  of  her  vast  rivers  afford  the 
most  numerous  species. 


PERCA  GRANULATA. 

THE  GRANULATED  PERCH. 

No.  1.  The  Granulated  Perch  inhabits  the  rivers  which  flow  from  the  Blue  Moun- 
tains, towards  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and,  with  two  others  from  the  same  country,  is  so 
similar  to  that  of  Europe,  as  to  have  been  confounded  with  it,  and  to  have  assisted  in 
the  idea  that  the  latter  was  also  found  in  the  New  World. 

In  the  shape  of  the  Perch,  we  find  that  combination  of  length,  depth,  and  thickness, 
which  Vill  give  the  easiest  support  in,  and  the  least  resistance  when  passing  through 
the  water ;  while  the  fin  possesses  great  power,  the  swimming  or  air-bladder  is  of  great 
size,  and  the  scaling  or  outward  covering  is  compact,  hard,  and  not  awkwardly  large. 
In  coloring  it  is  -extremely  beautiful,  the  upper  parts  of  a  rich  olive  green,  shading  into 
golden  yellow  ;  the  body  banded  with  distinct  bars,  of  a  deeper  tint  j  and  the  whole  re- 
lieved by  the  deep  velvety  black  of  the  posterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin,  and  the  bril- 
liant vermilion  of  the  central  and  anal  fins.  For  defence,  the  strong  spines  of  the  dor- 
sal fin,  which  are  erected  and  held  fixed  with  extraordinary  muscular  power  upon  the 
appearance  of  any  danger,  are  admirably  fitted,  and  it  is  one  of  the  few  fishes  which  is 
able  to  frequent  waters  in  common  with  the  Pike. 

The  common  Perch  still  continues  the  species  which  is  most  accurately  known,  and, 
among  the  fishes  which  are  used  in  the  economy  of  man,  was  one  of  those  which  were 
perhaps  most  extensively  and  anciently  used.  It  was  known  to  the  Greeks  and  Romans, 
and  was  celebrated  for  its  beauty  and  delicacy,  in  the  latter  quality  being  thought  worthy 
of  contesting  the  palm  with  the  far-famed  Mullet. 

As  an  article  of  food  or  luxury,  we  cannot  agree  with  its  celebrator,  Ausonius,  in  its 
excellency  over  our  other  fresh  water  fishes.  When  of  average  size,  it  affords  a  fine 
variety  for  the  table,  but  will  be  surpassed  in  delicacy  by  either  the  Trout  or  Salmon. 

The  skins  are  used  by  the  Laplanders,  cooked  into  a  kind  of  jelly,  and  for  making 
glue ;  and  celebrated  dishes  are  prepared  from  their  melts ;  while  of  their  scales, 
whitened  and  cleaned,  many  pretty  ornaments  have  been  lately  made. 


LABRAX  LUPUS. 

THE  BASS,  OR  SEA-PERCH. 

No.  2.  This  fish  was  well  known  to  the  ancients ;  it  was  celebrated  as  well  for  the 
excellency  of  its  flavor,  as  for  the  stratagems  it  used  when  encircled  by  nets,  or  fasten- 
ed by  the  hook.  Its  general  length  is  from  ten  to  eighteen  and  twenty  inches,  though 
it  is  said  to  grow  much  larger ;  and  being  a  bold  fish,  and  active  in  its  habits,  it  thus  ob- 
tained its  name  of  Lupus,  or  Wolf. 


24  THE    NATURALIST. 


LUCIOPERCA  SANDRA. 

THE  COMMON  PIKE-PERCH. 

No.  3.  It  is  a  fish  of  rapid  growth,  and  attains  a  length  of  three  to  four  feet,  and  a 
weight  of  twenty  pounds.  Its  flesh  is  of  an  agreeable  taste,  rich,  and  when  cooked  re- 
markably white. 

The  general  colors  of  this  fish,  though  less  gaudy  than  those  of  the  perch,  are  chaste 
and  simple  j  the  back  and  upper  parts  are  of  a  greenish  gray,  changing,  on  the  sides 
and  belly,  to  silvery  white. 


ETELIS  CARBUNCULUS. 

THE  RUBY-COLORED  ETELIS. 

No.  4.  This  genus  is  formed  from  a  single  specimen,  and  from  the  beauty  of  its  color- 
ing, which  Cuvier  compares  with  the  tints  of  the  ruby,  has  received  the  specific  name 
of  Carbunculus.  It  differs  from  the  Perches  in  possessing  strong  and  long  teeth. 

The  eye  of  this  splendid  fish  is  a  conspicuous  object,  and  is  of  a  golden  orange  ;  the 
scaling  is  large  and  marked ;  and  the  whole  ground  color  of  the  fish  is  bright  ruby  red, 
relieved  by  stripes  of  golden  yellow,  which  run  along  the  ridges  of  the  scales  j  its  length 
is  about  eleven  inches. 


ASPRO  VULGARIS. 

THE  ZINGEL. 

No.  5.  The  little  fish  forming  this  genus,  is  at  once  distinguished  by  the  lengthened 
form  of  the  body,  and  by  the  situation  of  the  mouth,  which  is  almost  placed  under  the 
snout  or  nose,  that  part  being  rounded  and  projecting  over  it ;  it  is  also  remarkable  for 
the  roughness  of  its  scales,  whence  by  Rondoletius  it  was  said  to  receive  its  name 
Asperus. 

It  seldom  exceeds  six  or  seven  inches  in  length,  but  is  used  at  table,  and  is  esteemed 
good  and  delicate.  By  the  fishermen  of  the  Rhone,  it  is  termed  "  Sorcier." 

Three  varieties  are  distinguished,  of  a  black,  gray,  and  yellow  color. 


THE  NATURALIST. 


ENTOMOLOGY. 


LEPIDOPTERA. 

NATURAL    HISTORY    OF    BUTTERFLIES. 

The  primary  division,  or  order,  of  the  class  of  insects,  acquires  its  name,  like  all  the 
other  Linnean  orders,  from  the  characters  presented  by  the  wings.  These  members 
have  their  entire  surface  covered  with  a  thick  coating  of  minute  imbricated  scales, 
which  has  caused  the  insects  to  be  designated  by  the  name  Lepidoptera.  This  clothing, 
however,  is  not  universal  in  the  group,  as  there  are  several  genera  partially  denuded  of 
scales,  and  others  in  which  the  wings  are  clear  and  transparent,  without  any  traces  of 
them.  But  these  occasional  deviations  from  the  prevailing  structure  indicate  no  essen- 
tial disagreement,  nor  do  they  disturb  the  regularity  of  the  order,  which  is  perhaps  the 
most  natural  and  best  defined  of  the  whole. 

The  species  which  it  includes  are  popularly  known  as  Butterflies,  Hawk-moths,  and 
Moths ;  terms  which  nearly  correspond  to  the  genera  Papilio,  Sphinx,  and  Phalaena, 
founded  on  the  seasons  of  flight,  Diurnal,  Crepuscular,  and  Nocturnal.  Many  of  these 
are  among  our  most  common  insects ;  and  the  curious  economy  of  some,  and  the  re- 
markable beauty  of  others,  have  long  attracted  the  notice  of  observers ;  while  their 
varied  forms  and  gorgeous  coloring  have  afforded  subjects  of  the  highest  interest  to  the 
lovers  of  the  pictorial  art.  Their  amount  is  so  considerable,  that  the  Lepidepterous 
order  ranks  among  the  most  extensive  with  which  we  are  acquainted.  There  is  reason 
to  believe,  that  it  is  surpassed  only  by  the  Coleoptera  or  Beetles. 

The  Diurnal  Lepidoptera,  or  such  as  fly  during  the  day,  are  the  kinds  known  by  the 
name  Butterfly.  This  term  is  a  literal  translation  of  the  Saxon  word  Butter-fleoza,  and 
is  supposed  to  be  applied  because  the  insects  first  become  prevalent  in  the  beginning  of 
the  season  for  butter.  They  are  distinguished  from  the  other  scaly-winged  kinds,  by 
possessing  antennse  with  a  knob  or  club  at  the  summit,  and  holding  their  wings,  when 
in  a  state  of  repose,  erect  or  very  slightly  inclined. 

Their  wings  are  augmented  to  a  size  that  seems  quite  disproportionate  to  that  of  the 
body,  as  if  nature  had  wished  to  enlarge  the  surface  on  which  she  was  to  employ  her 
pencil,  that  it  might  admit  of  more  varied  and  profuse  decoration.  Even  the  under  face 
of  the  wings,  contrary  to  what  is  observed  in  other  flying  animals,  is  usually  as  much 
adorned  as  the  surface,  and  often  in  an  entirely  different  manner.  Each  wing,  there- 
fore, presents  what  may  be  called  two  different  pictures. 

The  habits  of  these  insects  are  well  fitted  to  confirm  the  preference  we  assign  to  their 
beauty.  Butterflies  derive  their  sustenance  from  the  nectareous  juices  and  secretion  of 


26  THE  NATURALIST. 

fruits  and  flowers  ;  they  are  generally  seen  either  sporting  in  the  air,  or  resting  on  the 
disk  of  some  expanded  flower,  and  all  their  habits  are  such  as  beseem  "  pure  creatures 
of  the  element."  They  are  seldom  noticed  but  in  fine  weather,  and  never  in  profusion 
but  when  the  season  is  in  its  highest  bloom,  and  their  appearance  then  becomes  asso- 
ciated in  our  minds  with  the  charms  of  external  nature,  and  is  connected  with  those 
images  of  life  and  beauty  which  give  rise  to  many  of  the  genial  influences  of  summer. 
Several  species  also  contrive  to  outlive  the  winter,  although  their  frail  forms  seem  but 
ill  adapted  to  resist  the  rigors  of  that  inclement  season,  and  issuing  from  their  retreats 
in  the  first  warm  days  of  spring,  are  among  the  earliest  and  not  least  interesting  heralds 
of  the  purple  year. 

The  diurnal  Lepidoptera  are  very  numerous  in  species ;  they  abound  in  all  tropical 
countries,  but  a  great  proportion  of  the  largest  and  most  highly  ornamented  kinds  are 
natives  of  America,  especially  of  Brazil. 

The  mode  of  painting  employed  to  produce  these  rich  tints,  may  not  improperly  be 
called  a  kind  of  natural  mosaic,  for  the  colors  invariably  reside  in  the  scales,  which 
form  a  dense  covering  over  the  whole  surface.  These  scales  are  usually  of  an  oval  or 
elongated  form,  and  truncated  at  the  tip,  where  they  are  occasionally  divided  into 
teeth ;  but  sometimes  they  are  conical,  linear,  or  triangular.  They  are  fixed  in  the 
wing  by  means  of  a  narrow  pedicle,  and  are  most  commonly  disposed  in  transverse  rows, 
placed  close  together,  and  overlapping  each  other  like  the  tiles  of  a  roof.  In  some  in- 
stances, they  are  placed  without  any  regular  order,  and  in  certain  cases  they  appear  to 
be  two  layers  of  scales  on  both  sides  of  the  wings.  When  they  are  rubbed  off,  the  wing 
is  found  to  consist  of  an  elastic  membrane,  thin  and  transparent,  and  marked  with 
slightly  indented  lines,  forming  a  kind  of  groove  for  the  insertion  of  the  scales.  The 
latter  are  so  minute  that  they  appear  to  the  naked  eye  like  powder  or  dust,  and  as  they 
are  very  closely  placed,  their  numbers  on  a  single  insect  are  astonishingly  great. 
Leeuwenhoek  counted  upwards  of  400,000  on  the  wing  of  the  silk  moth. 

Both  the  different  kinds  of  eyes  which  occur  among  insects,  are  to  be  found  in  the 
diurnal  Lepidoptera.  The  ordinary,  or  compound  eyes,  are  large  and  hemispherical, 
occupying  the  greater  part  of  the  head,  and  no  fewer  then  17,325  lenses  have  been 
counted  in  one  of  them.  As  each  of  these  crystalline  lenses  possesses  all  the  properties 
of  a  perfect  eye,  some  butterflies  may  therefore  be  said  to  have  no  fewer  than  34,650 ! 
The  simple  eyes,  in  the  form  of  pellucid  spots,  are  usually  two  in  number,  and  placed 
on  the  crown  of  the  head. 

The  antenna  are  of  moderate  length,  and  consist  of  a  great  number  of  joints,  which 
usually  increase  in  thickness  towards  the  extremity,  where  they  form  a  club  or  knob. 

The  thorax — that  portion  of  the  body  intermediate  between  the  head  and  abdomen — 
is  composed  of  three  segments,  so  closely  united  as  apparently  to  form  a  single  piece. 
The  thorax  is  always  shorter  than  the  abdomen,  and  generally  more  robust,  as  it  sup- 
ports all  the  organs  of  motion,  and  contains  the  muscles  by  which  the  latter  are 
actuated. 

These  important  appendages  are  of  course  the  wings  and  legs ;  the  latter,  as  in  all 
other  genuine  insects,  are  six  in  number,  and  composed  of  the  same  amount  of  pieces 
as  in  most  of  the  class.  They  are  inserted  pretty  close  to  each  other,  without  any  ine- 
quality in  the  size  of  the  intervening  spaces.  The  thigh  is  often  fringed  with  long 
hairs,  and  the  tibia  is  frequently  armed  with  a  spur  near  the  middle,  and  two  others 
at  the  tip.  The  tarsi  in  all  the  perfect  legs  are  five-jointed,  and  furnished  with  two 
claws  at  the  extremity,  which  are  often  bifid.  Many  of  these  insects,  however,  have 


ENTOMOLOGY.  27 

the  anterior  pair  of  legs  imperfect,  or  not  adapted  for  walking,  being  too  short  to  reach 
the  plane  of  position,  and  usually  drawn  close  to  the  sides  of  the  thorax,  the  long  hairs 
of  which  in  a  great  measure  conceal  them  from  our  view.  These  spurious  legs  have 
only  one  joint  in  the  tarsus,  which  in  some  cases  is  without  claws  j  and  the  species  so 
circumstanced  are  named  tetrapod,  or  four-footed  butterflies. 

The  wings  are  of  much  greater  extent,  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  body,  than  in 
any  other  tribe  of  insects.  The  forms  which  they  assume  are  very  various  j  but  the 
most  ordinary  shape  of  the  upper  pair  is  triangular,  while  the  outline  of  the  under 
wings  approaches  to  circular.  They  are  traversed  by  numerous  nervures,  which  give  a 
great  degree  of  strength  to  the  wing,  and  hold  in  tension  the  thin  elastic  membrane  of 
which  it  is  composed. 

With  such  an  extent  of  sail  broad-vans,  it  is  easy  for  butterflies  to  support  themselves 
for  a  long  time  in  the  air.  They  seldom  fly  in  a  direct  line,  but  advance  by  rising  and 
falling  alternately,  in  a  succession  of  zig-zags,  up  and  down,  and  from  side  to  side.  By 
flying  in  this  manner  they  are  supposed  to  elude  more  easily  the  pursuit  of  the  smaller 
birds,  which  often  make  them  a  prey. 


HELICOPIS  GNIDUS. 

No.  1.  The  wings  of  the  Helicopis  Gnidus  are  white  on  both  sides,  with  a  slight 
tinge  of  yellow  at  the  base,  and  the  outer  margin  black.  At  the  hinder  extremity  of 
the  secondary  wings  there  is  a  row  of  narrow  white  marks,  which  is  double  at  the  anal 
angle ;  tails  black  on  both  sides,  the  two  longest  ones  tipped  with  white.  The  upper 
wings  beneath  have  a  white  line  dividing  the  black  border  behind  the  middle  j  and  the 
under  pair  are  ornamented  with  twenty-one  silvery  spots,  three  of  which  at  either  ex- 
tremity are  elongated  and  placed  on  a  white  ground,  while  the  rest  are  insulated,  and 
on  a  ferruginous  ground  ;  all  of  them  edged  with  black. 


THAIS  MEDESICASTE. 

No.  2.  All  the  species  of  the  genus  Thais  are  of  moderate  size,  and  may  at  once  be 
known  by  the  peculiar  design  of  the  coloring  of  the  wings,  which  are  always  yellow, 
spotted  with  red  and  black,  and  bordered  externally  with  a  dark  festooned  line.  The 
palpi  are  composed  of  three  nearly  equal  articulations,  and  rise  conspicuously  above 
the  head  j  the  antennae  rather  short,  and  terminating  in  a  club  slightly  curved  upwards. 
The  body  is  slender,  and  the  abdominal  margin  of  the  hinder  pair  of  wings  is  curved 
downwards,  as  if  to  leave  room  for  the  movements  of  the  abdomen. 


LEPTOCIRCUS  CURIUS. 

No.  3.  In  this  genus  the  head  and  body  are  very  thick  ;  abdomen  short ;  eyes  large 
and  salient ;  palpi  very  short,  the  articulations  very  indistinct ;  antennae  rather  long, 
thickening  at  the  extremity  into  a  club,  which  is  slightly  curved  upwards.  The  anterior 
wings  are  nearly  hyaline,  and  have  the  discoidal  cell  closed ;  the  posterior  folded  longi- 
tudinally, and  each  drawn  out  into  a  very  long  tail,  curved  at  the  extremity.  The  ex- 
pansion of  the  wings,  in  the  only  known  species,  is  about  an  inch  and  a-half ;  the  inner 
half  of  the  superior  pair  black,  traversed  in  the  middle  by  a  pretty  broad  green  band ; 


28  THE   NATURALIST. 

the  exterior  portion,  consisting  of  a  large  triangular  space,  transparent,  with  the  nerv- 
ures  and  external  border  black.  The  inferior  wings  are  black,  edged  externally  with 
white,  and  having  a  central  blue  band  in  continuation  of  the  anterior  one.  On  the  un- 
der side,  the  base  of  all  the  wings  is  whitish,  and  the  abdominal  margin  of  the  under 
pair  is  marked  with  three  curved  white  streaks ;  abdomen  whitish  beneath,  and  having 
a  double  row  of  black  dots  on  each  side.  In  the  female  the  bands  on  the  wings  are 
white. 


PEACOCK'S  EYE. 

VANESSA  YO. 

No.  4.  The  color  of  this  elegant  insect  is  deep  brown-ash-red,  inclining  to  purple, 
with  a  large  eye-like  spot  on  each  wing.  On  the  anterior  wings  this  spot  is  placed 
near  the  apex,  and  is  composed  of  a  yellow  crescent  on  the  inner  side,  a  semi-circular 
patch  of  blue  externally,  and  a  large  reddish-brown  pupil,  which  becomes  darker  ante- 
riorly, where  it  unites  with  the  black  margin.  On  the  outer  side  of  the  pupil  there 
are  three  small  spots  of  a  whitish-blue  color,  forming  an  irregular  line  with  two  others 
placed  in  the  red  portion  of  the  wing.  The  ocellus  is  bounded  internally  by  a  triangu- 
lar patch  of  black,  next  to  this  is  a  yellow  spot,  succeeded  by  a  black  triangular  one, 
which  does  not  reach  the  anterior  margin :  the  latter  towards  the  base  is  yellowish, 
with  transverse  lines  of  black.  The  ocellus  of  the  hinder  wings  consists  of  a  large 
black  central  patch,  spotted  with  blue,  and  encircled  by  a  zone  of  pale  silky-brown, 
which  is  bounded  anteriorly  by  a  large  black  crescent. 


ERYCINA  MELIB^US. 

Nos.  5  &  6.  This  beautiful  insect  belongs  to  that  division  of  Erycina  which  has 
opaque  wings,  and  a  short  obtuse  tail  to  the  hinder  pair.  It  is  about  two  inches  in  ex- 
tent of  wing.  The  surface  is  uniform  dark  brown,  with  a  bright  red  oblique  band  run- 
ning across  the  middle  of  both  wings,  and  a  large  crescent  of  the  same  color  near  the 
origin  of  the  tail.  On  the  inner  side  of  the  upper  wings  there  is  the  appearance  of  an- 
other oblique  red  band,  but  it  is  obsolete  except  at  the  hinder  margin.  The  under  side 
forms  a  striking  contrast  with  the  surface,  the  ground  color  being  black,  with  two  bril- 
liant blue  bands,  the  outer  one  very  broad,  the  interior  somewhat  -macular,  and  termi- 
nating behind  in  a  red  point.  Body  brown  above  and  black  beneath. 

Like  most  of  the  species  constituting  the  genus  Erycina  it  is  a  native  of  America. 


POHYOMMATUS  ALEXIS. 

COMMON  BLUE  BUTTERFLY. 

Nos.  7  £,  8.  This  species  is  so  variable  in  its  markings,  and  even  in  the  form  of  the 
wings,  that  some  entomologists  are  of  opinion  that  more  than  one  distinct  species  may 
be  included  under  the  name.  It  is  a  very  abundant  insect,  and,  unlike  the  rest  of  its 
associates,  is  distributed  over  the  whole  country.  It  frequents  pasture  lands  and  grassy 
meadows. 


THE  DAHLIA. 


BOTANICAL  DESCRIPTION. 


Class.  Order. 

SYNGENES1A  SUPERFLUA.  ASTERIOID.E. 

Natural  Order. 

COMPOSITE. 

GENERIC  CHARACTER — Head  radiated,  flowers  of  the  ray  ligulate,  female  or  neuter,  those 
of  the  disk  tubular,  five-toothed.  Involacre  double.  Receptacle  flat,  chaffy,  scales 
membraneous,  oblong,  undivided.  Branches  of  the  style  erect  or  somewhat  incurved, 
thick,  externally  hairy.  Anthers  exudate  appendiculate. 

SPECIFIC  CHARACTER — Leaves  opposite,  divided  in  a  pinnate,  more  rarely  in  a  bi-pinnate 
manner.  Segments  ovate.  Roots  fasciculate,  some  cylindrical,  others  oblong,  tuber- 
culate.  Branches  elongated  at  the  apex  naked,  one-headed.  Heads  various  in  color. 

The  Dahlia,  although  a  plant  of  this  continent,  being  originally  from  Mexico,  was 
known  in  Europe  before  it  was  cultivated  in  the  United  States.  It  is  generally  said  to 
have  been  introduced  into  England  by  Lady  Holland,  in  1804 ;  but  the  fact  is,  it  had 
been  introduced  there  many  years  before  that  period,  and  was  only  brought  from  Madrid, 
in  1804,  by  Lady  Holland,  who  apparently  did  not  know  that  it  was  already  in  the 
country.  The  first  kind  of  Dahlia  known  to  Europeans  was  discovered  in  Mexico  by 
Baron  Humboldt,  in  1789,  and  sent  by  him  to  Professor  Cavanilles,  of  the  Botanical 
Garden,  at  Madrid,  who  gave  the  genus  the  name  of  Dahlia,  in  honor  of  the  Swedish 
Professor  Dahl.  Cavanilles  sent  a  plant  of  it  the  same  year  to  the  Marchioness  of  Bute, 
who  was  very  fond  of  flowers,  and  kept  it  in  the  green-house.  From  this  species  nearly 
all  the  varieties  known  in  the  gardens  have  been  raised ;  as  it  seeds  freely,  and  varies 
very  much  when  raised  from  seed.  It  is  rather  remarkable  that  the  Dahlia  Superflua, 
or  Variabilis,  should  produce  flowers  of  colors  so  different,  as  crimson,  purple,  white, 
yellow,  orange  and  scarlet.  Among  all  the  colors,  however,  displayed  by  these  varie- 
ties, no  flowers  have  yet  appeared  of  blue,  and  comparatively  few  of  a  pure  white. 

The  Dahlia  is  a  tuberous-rooted  plant,  which  is  propagated  either  by  seeds  or  division 
of  the  root.  The  seeds  are  chiefly  used  for  raising  new  sorts ;  and  they  should  be 
treated  like  tender  animals,  being  sown  on  a  slight  hot-bed  in  March  or  April,  and 
planted  out  in  May,  or  the  beginning  of  June,  according  to  the  season.  The  plants 
rarely  flower  the  first  year,  but  the  tubes  will  form  in  the  course  of  the  summer,  and 
may  be  taken  up  in  autumn  with  those  of  the  old  plants.  When  the  plants  are  propa- 
gated by  division  of  the  root,  care  must  be  taken  that  each  piece  has  a  bud  to  it.  These 


30  THE  NATURALIST. 

buds,  or  eyes,  as  the  gardeners  call  them,  are  not  scattered  all  over  the  tuber,  like 
those  of  the  potato,  but  collected  in  a  ring  round  the  collar  of  the  root.  The  eyes, 
when  the  root  is  in  a  dry  state,  are  sometimes  scarcely  perceptible ;  and  to  discover 
them,  nnrserymen  often  plant  their  roots  in  a  hot-bed,  "  to  start  the  eyes,"  as  they  call 
it ;  that  \&  to  say,  to  force  the  latent  buds  sufficiently  forward  to  show  where  they  are 
situated  >  before  they  divide  the  roots  for  the  purpose  of  forming  new  plants. 

Dahlias  are  also  propagated  -by  cuttings  of  the  stem,  taken  from  the  plant ;  or  young 
shoots  slipped  off  the  tuber,  with  part  of  the  woody  fibre,  attached.  The  cuttings 
should  be  stuck  in  sand,  or  very  sandy  loam,  under  a  bell  glass,  and  with  bottom  heat. 
Great  care  should  be  taken  to  shield  them  from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  till  they  have 
thrown  out  roots,  as  the  leaves  are  easily  withered,  and  when  this  is  the  case,  they  can- 
not be  recovered  j  and  the  cuttings  will  perish,  for  want  of  due  circulation  of  the  sap. 
The  roots  will  generally  form  in  a  fortnight,  or  at  most  three  weeks. 

The  best  soil  for  Dahlias  is  a  compost  of  equal  parts  of  sand  and  loam,  with  a  little 
peat ;  which  may  be  enriched  with  part  of  an  old  hot-bed,  or  decayed  leaves.  Manure 
of  any  kind  should,  however,  be  used  very  sparingly  j  as  too  much  will  cause  the  plant 
to  produce  strong,  coarse-growing  leaves  and  stems,  instead  of  fine  flowers.  Though 
they  flower  so  late  in  the  year,  Dahlias  are  killed  by  the  slightest  frost ;  and  thus  their 
beauty,  great  as  it  is,  is  generally  rather  short  lived.  As  soon  as  the  leaves  turn  brown 
from  frost,  the  stems  should  be  cut  down,  and  in  about  a  month  after,  the  tubers  should 
be  carefully  taken  up,  and  laid  on  boards  in  open  shed,  or  some  similar  place,  where  they 
are  protected  from  the  rain  and  sun,  but  still  have  plenty  of  air.  They  should  after- 
wards be  kept  in  a  dry  cellar,  in  sand  or  sawdust. 

The  beauty  of  the  Dahlia  is  estimated  principally  by  the  shape  of  the  flower,  which 
should  be  perfectly  circular,  without  any  of  the  petals  projecting  beyond  the  others. — 
The  size  and  color  of  the  flowers  are  considered  as  of  inferior  consequence  to  the  form, 
by  professed  florists  ;  though,  of  course,  large  flowers  are  generally  preferred  to  small 
ones. 


J 
>i'ter- 


er,  which 

•  tne  others. — 

tisequence  to  the  form, 

11  v  preferred  to  small 


COCKED 
CASE 


